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Reversible keyboard and information processor

a keyboard and information processor technology, applied in the direction of coding, instruments, pulse techniques, etc., can solve the problems of information processors that cannot be provided at a competitive cost, information processors cannot be provided at a competitive cost, information processors cannot be sure to refuse, and none of these documents suggests any idea of utilizing the reverse side of the control panel as an additional control panel

Inactive Publication Date: 2003-05-01
SHARP KK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Owing to this feature, the present invention can realize a reversible keyboard which offers different key functions on the front side and the reverse side, by a simple structure that omits an internal electric configuration. Besides, with this simple structure, it is possible to minimize the size and weight of the keyboard and to lower the production cost.
[0058] With the use of the transparent touch panel, the reversible keyboard can be made of a plate-like component. The resulting reversible keyboard is of the simplest structure and can be provided at a low price.

Problems solved by technology

Since the keyboard itself involves a complex circuit and becomes larger, this information processor cannot be provided at a competitive cost.
However, each control panel is intended only for a single type of application.
Besides, none of these documents suggests any idea of utilizing the reverse side of the control panel as an additional control panel.
As a result, the information processor can surely refuse any accidental key input which is not intended by users.

Method used

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  • Reversible keyboard and information processor
  • Reversible keyboard and information processor
  • Reversible keyboard and information processor

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

embodiment 1

[0221] Concerning Embodiment 1, FIG. 31 provides a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the information processor and a functional block diagram of the reversible keyboard.

[0222] The information processor comprises a CPU 100 as key input control means, a key input unit 101, a display unit 102 made of a liquid crystal display or the like, detection means 103 for detecting the attachment condition of the reversible keyboard 5, a ROM 104 and a RAM 105. The circuit blocks are contained in the device body 1.

[0223] The CPU 100 controls the information processor as a whole, based on a program stored therein.

[0224] The key input unit 101 is composed of the function keys 31 and the cursor keys 32 as a fixed part, and the rubber key unit 33 laid on the bottom surface of the keyboard attachment recess 11, as shown in FIG. 1. When predetermined keys are operated, the key input unit 101 inputs process commands to the CPU 100.

[0225] The display unit 102 carries out display operat...

embodiment 2

[0246] Concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention for an information processor equipped with a reversible keyboard, FIG. 30 is an external perspective view of the information processor, with the reversible keyboard removed. Additionally, FIG. 30 illustrates the removed reversible keyboards 5A, 5B in two ways, namely, with the front side up and with the reverse side up.

[0247] The basic structures of the device body 1 and the reversible keyboards 5A, 5B are similar to those of the device body 1 and the reversible keyboard 5 of Embodiment 1 which are already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29. Hence, common structures are indicated by the same signs without any further description.

[0248] To summarize the difference, while the information processor of Embodiment 1 is adapted to only one reversible keyboard 5, the information processor of Embodiment 2 allows attachment of more than one (two in this embodiment) reversible keyboard 5A, 5B. In this respect, the information proc...

embodiment 3

[0317] Concerning Embodiment 3, FIG. 63 provides a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the information processor and a functional block diagram of the reversible keyboard

[0318] The information processor comprises a CPU 100 as key input control means, a key input unit 101, a display unit 102 made of a liquid crystal display or the like, detection means 103 for detecting the attachment condition of the reversible keyboard 5, a ROM 104 and a RAM 105. The circuit blocks are contained in the device body 1.

[0319] The CPU 100 controls the information processor as a whole, based on a program stored therein.

[0320] The key input unit 101 is composed of the function keys 31 and the cursor keys 32 as a fixed part, and the rubber key unit 33 laid on the bottom surface of the keyboard attachment recess 11, as shown in FIG. 36. When predetermined keys are operated, the key input unit 101 inputs process commands to the CPU 100.

[0321] The display unit 102 carries out display operat...

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Abstract

A reversible keyboard is attached, with the front or reverse side up, into a keyboard attachment recess equipped with a rubber key unit. This reversible keyboard comprises keytop members 51a, 51b for pressing down the rubber key unit 33 as well as a front key cabinet 52a and a reverse key cabinet 52b including holes 53a, 53b, respectively. The front keytop members 51a and the reverse keytop members 51b are respectively inserted in the holes 53a, 53b and project from the front key cabinet 52a and the reverse key cabinet 52b. In this state, the keytop members 51a, 51b are housed in the front key cabinet 52a and the reverse key cabinet 52b and allowed to move upwardly and downwardly.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to reversible keyboards and information processors equipped with such reversible keyboards.[0003] 2. Related Art[0004] As seen in many previous suggestions, conventional information processors attempt to extend their key functions by using a reversible keyboard which has keytop members on both sides and which can be attached to the device body with either side up.[0005] However, the keyboard for this type of information processor must contain an internal electrical configuration such as a circuit board. Since the keyboard itself involves a complex circuit and becomes larger, this information processor cannot be provided at a competitive cost.[0006] In order to omit the electrical configuration such as a circuit board, there has been suggested another type of information processor which separates key switch members and keytop members from each other.[0007] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H6-18...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01H9/02
CPCH01H2009/0257H01H9/0235
Inventor KAINO, SEIOKAKIMOTO, JUNICHIMARUO, EIJI
Owner SHARP KK
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